<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Beth Bowen was an outstanding member and leader in our Affiliate for many years. I admired the partnership that both she and Jim bought to this organization, quietly supporting each other. Thank you for posting this nice tribute to her memory. Praying for her family in the loss of their Mother. <div><br></div><div>Marilyn Baldwin </div><div>President </div><div>Central Fl Chapter </div><div>NFBF <br><br><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPad</div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Oct 22, 2021, at 4:42 PM, Kaye Baker via NFBF-L <nfbf-l@nfbnet.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that the NFB of Florida Greater Jacksonville Chapter announces the passing of Elizabeth (Beth) Bowen Dyal on October 4, 2021 at the age of 81. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Beth played a pivotal role in the formation <span style="color:#1F497D">and growth </span>of <span style="color:#1F497D">the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, </span>the Federations 45<sup>th</sup> Affiliate, founded on November 14<sup>th</sup>, 1970 as the Florida Association of the Blind. <span style="color:#1F497D">She and her husband Jim took on leadership roles, (including those of President of the Jacksonville Chapter), one of the Affiliates four charter chapters.</span> Beth served as an invaluable member and leader not only in Florida but on a national level as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Active in local, State and National politics, she was a strong and steady voice championing those issues that affected the blind. Beth, along with her late husband Jim Bowen, was instrumental in passing legislation to help the blind participate more on an equal footing with the fully sighted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">She mentored and advocated on behalf of blind individuals who had issues in dealing with various rehabilitation agencies, the Social Security Administration and private employers. Beth also instilled in the people she mentored self-reliance and taught her mentees how to advocate for themselves.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Beth lived a full and active life and never let her lack of eyesight keep her from accomplishing her goals. She raised four children, was active in her church, was well known in local and State politics, supported women's concerns, blindness issues and was employed full-time as a medical transcriptionist. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Beth leaves behind a loving family, as well as a host of friends and colleagues, both inside and outside of the Federation to treasure many fond memories of her and all of her wonderful accomplishments.<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>NFBF-L mailing list</span><br><span>NFBF-L@nfbnet.org</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org</span><br><span>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBF-L:</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/commmdb%40aol.com</span><br></div></blockquote></div></body></html>